Bachelor of Physiotherapy
Course Description
Why (study) the programme
The programme aims to equip the learners with knowledge, attitudes and skills in the physiotherapy management and rehabilitation of patients, clients requiring physiotherapy. It also equips students with skills and competencies for managing physiotherapy and rehabilitation facilities at all levels of health delivery system in collaboration with other departments and sectors.
Programme structure
This Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) programme is a four-year full time study programme. Before students start the first year of the Physiotherapy curriculum, they are enrolled into a one-year foundation programme where they learn premedical sciences. The first year of the Physiotherapy programme will cover basic medical sciences which are taught in conjunction with other health sciences students by the Divisions of Basic Medical Sciences and Pathology. From second year to fourth year the core subjects of Physiotherapy will be covered. Clinical work will be conducted through placements at designated teaching hospitals at district and central hospital level. The students will have hands on experience at selected district hospitals under the supervision of assigned tutors or supervisors. In the fourth year, students will be exposed to community physiotherapy, aspects of sports physiotherapy and also undergo training in management and administration of programmes at district and central hospitals.
The mature entry Bachelor of Physiotherapy programme is a two years’ full time study programme for learners who already have a Diploma in Physiotherapy. The entry point is year three due to their previous learning and working experience. The third year of the Physiotherapy programme will consist of ten theoretical modules which covers their identified learning gaps and one clinical learning module. The fourth year consists of eight theoretical learning modules in the first semester and four clinical learning modules in the second semester. Clinical work will be conducted through placements at designated teaching hospitals at district and central hospital level. The students will have hands on experience at selected district hospitals under the supervision of assigned tutors or supervisors.
Career prospects
- Peadiatric – Working with children with developmental or movement disorders
- Neurology – Working with people with paralysis
- Cardiorespiratory – Working with patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases
- Musculoskeletal – Working with patients with muscle or joint pain
- Orthopeadic – Working with patients with fractures due to traumatic injuries
- Community based Inclusive Development – Working with people in the community
Entry Requirements
a) At Foundation level/Pre-med
To enter the programme at foundation the learner must meet one of the following:
- Candidate must be a holder of MSCE/IGSCE or other internationally recognised qualification comparable to ‘O’ level certificates with at least six credit passes (a minimum of 4 points Biology and Physical Science at MSCE or ‘C’ at IGCSE) including English Language and Mathematics obtained in the current year or the previous 2 years. The following is the interpretation of IGCSE results for admission purposes: A+ (90-100) = 1; A (80-89) = 1; B (70-79) = 2; C (60-69) = 3; D (55-59) = 4; E (49-54) = 5; F (40-48) = 6; G (34-39) = 7; O-8
- Diploma in Rehabilitation Technician with at least two years of relevant work experience and 6 MSCE/O-Level credits including English language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and/or Physical Science
- A Degree or Diploma in any non-science field plus 6 MSCE or O-Level credits including Biology and Chemistry/Physical Science a third science subject like Physics or Mathematics. Candidates should have a grade of not more than “4 points” or “C” in Biology, Chemistry/Physical Science.
b) At Year 1
To enter the programme at year one the learner must meet one of the following:
- 3 A-Level passes with a grade of at least ‘C’ in Biology, Chemistry and a third science subject like Mathematics or Physics obtained in the current year or the previous 2 years. Further, candidates must have MSCE/O-Level credit passes in English and Mathematics if these two subjects were not done at A-Levels.
- At least an average of 60% in Chemistry, Biology and a third Science subject like Mathematics, Physics or Statistics at the end of second year of a recognised Bachelor of Science/Education Science Degree programme.
- A recognized Bachelor of Science/Education Science Degree majoring in Biology and Chemistry obtained from a recognised institution.
c) Mature Entry
A candidate with a Diploma in Physiotherapy with at least two years of relevant work experience and 6 MSCE/O-Level credits including English language, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and/or Physical Science obtained from an institution recognised by KUHeS shall join the programme at year three. This entry point was considered appropriate after thorough assessment of the curricula for Diploma physiotherapy training programmes as mentioned previously. Upon assessment it was discovered that in their 3-year Diploma programmes they extensively covered 18 modules that are offered in year one and two of the BPT generic programme. In addition, the knowledge of prior learning and clinical experience as obtained through the survey of prospective learners and the determined need for a mature entry programme, guided the determination of the entry point for the mature entry.
